Thursday, February 26, 2015

Royalty Fees Update... Read This For A Special Discount

The royalty fees have changed on the plays to $20 per performances and $10 per performance for schools, non-profits and fund raisers.

And if you are a loyal reader of this blog, then I will let you perform any play at a discount.  Post in the comments below which play you would like to use, what kind of theatre group you are and I will give you a lower price.  Sometimes you might even get to perform it for free (especially if you are raising money for a good cause).

And you can still use any play script for free if it is for the classroom, workshop, audition or competition.  Just email a request to doug@freedrama.net or post the request in the comments below.

Thank you and enjoy the plays on http://www.freedrama.net!

Sincerely,
Doug Larson




Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Shakespeare and Love A SHORT ROMANTIC PLAY FOR TWO ACTORS (free duologue stage script)

Shakespeare and Love

A SHORT PLAY FOR TWO ACTORS BY D. M. LARSON FROM FREEDRAMA.NET

A professor MULIGAN rushes around a theatre trying to get ready for his class.  He plays some instrumental music to try and calm himself.  He adjusts his podium, strikes a pose and then gets nervous and adjusts the podium again.  He bumps in to his easel which has Shakespeare visuals on it.  He fixes the visuals, looks at his watch and then rushes back to the podium.  He realizes his folder is empty and rushes to his briefcase.  He pulls out a folder thick with notes.  He stands and JULIE walks up behind him.
JULIE
Hello professor.

MULIGAN drops all his papers.  Julie tries to supress a laugh.  She smiles at him kindly as he stands there looking sadly at the pile.
MULIGAN
Hello Julie.

Julie starts gathering papers.  
JULIE
Here, let me help you.

Muligan slowly bends down to help her.
MULIGAN
I'd be upset about them being out of order but they weren't in order anyway.  I dropped them on the way here.

JULIE
Oh dear.

MULIGAN
I'm so nervous about this lecture.

JULIE
Then why are you giving it?

MULIGAN
Good question.

JULIE
You're always doing stuff like this but you don't seem to enjoy it that much.

MULIGAN
And yet you come to every one.

JULIE
I enjoy it.

MULIGAN
You do?

JULIE
Yeah.

MULIGAN
Thank you.

JULIE
For what?

MULIGAN
It's nice to hear someone likes it.

JULIE
I'm sure lots of people do.

MULIGAN
But it's nice to hear someone say it.  And even better if they remember something from it.

JULIE
Like the true identity of William Shakespeare... Edward de Vere.

MULIGAN
Wow, you do really listen.  I mean I don't say that he's Edward conclusively, but...

Muligan is all excited but starts dropping his papers again.  Julie stops him by taking his hands in hers.  He stops at her touch and looks her in the eyes.
JULIE
I know... I've listened.

MULIGAN
You really have.  What's your favorite lecture?

JULIE
Romeo and Juliet of course.

MULIGAN
Two star crossed lovers.

JULIE
From totally different places... totally different lives... yet drawn together despite their differences.  

MULIGAN
Those stories have stood the test of time.  That's amazing literature... living literature that never dies.

JULIE
I love your passion.  That's why I come so often.  I can feel your excitement.

Muligan feels some different excitement looking at her and hearing the compliments.  He turns and takes his papers to the podium.
MULIGAN
Thank you.

Julie ducks under his arms between him and the podium.
JULIE
Want me to organize these for you?  I bet I could.  

Muligan sniffs her hair but then is shocked at himself and moves away.
MULIGAN
Um... sounds like a fun challenge.  Is is like Twelth's Night?  Trying to reunite the twins lost at sea.

JULIE
Or is it like the Tempest... lost in a storm and shipwrecked... on a podium?
Muligan holds up a piece of paper.
MULIGAN
Gentle breath of your my sails; Must fill, or else my project fails

Julie blows on his paper and his flies out of his hands.  They look at each other a moment and smile.  Julie picks up another paper and blows it away.
JULIE
"Blow, blow, thou winter wind; Thou are not so unkind as man's ingratitude."

MULIGAN
As You Like It.  Man's ingratitute... I get plenty of that here at the university. "Most friendship is feigning, most loving is folly."  Do you believe that?

JULIE
Not in the least.  Shakespeare says many things.  But we can't believe in Shakespeare.  Only each other.

MULIGAN
Not God?

JULIE
God wrote the play... we're the actors.

MULIGAN
"All the World's a Stage. And all the men and women merely players."

JULIE
Exactly.

MULIGAN
Or did Shakepeare believe men were gods?  "What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god."

JULIE
Hamlet was crazy... “Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.”

MULIGAN
Is Henry the Sixth a more reliable source than Hamlet?

JULIE
Henry was a real person.

MULIGAN
True... wow, you really have learned a lot about Shakespeare.

JULIE
I think a lot of people know about the King Henries.

MULIGAN
The quotes... the insight... I'm impressed.

JULIE
I learned it all from you.

MULIGAN
But no one else seems to have learned that much... I seem to be speaking in to the wind.  It is a tale told by an idiot. "Full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing."

JULIE
That's MacBeth. Not you.

MULIGAN
That's what it seems like though.  Nothing gets through.

JULIE
It does to me.  Is that enough?

MULIGAN
Maybe it is.
Muligan looks at Julie a long moment and she smiles back.

MULIGAN (CONT.)
"Speak low..."

JULIE
You got me there... don't recognize the quote.

MULIGAN
"Excellent wretch..."

JULIE
You're stuttering in Shakespeare.

MULIGAN
When does my lecture begin?

JULIE
Not for an hour.

MULIGAN
I'm not ready.

JULIE
Then cancel it.

MULIGAN
I can't.

JULIE
Why not?

MULIGAN
The university...

JULIE
Who cares...

She takes his face in her hands.
JULIE (CONT.)
What do you want?

He looks at her longingly and there is a long pause. 
MULIGAN
Happiness.  

Julie goes to the podium.

JULIE
Does this make you happy?

MULIGAN
It used to... but no so much anymore.

JULIE
Then find something that does.

MULIGAN
Oh happy dagger...

JULIE
I think Juliet was being ironic when she said that.

MULIGAN
Joy... that's what I need... some joy... "Joy, gentle friends, joy and fresh days of love..."

JULIE
Joy... and love.

MULIGAN
"A heart to love, and in that heart, Courage, to make’s love known."

JULIE
MacBeth.  Do you have the courage?

MULIGAN
I don't know if I do.

JULIE
"I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say ‘I love you’"

MULIGAN
Henry the Fifth. "You have witchcraft in your lips."

JULIE
Okay... bad choice... how about "I humbly do beseech of your pardon, For too much loving you"

MULIGAN
Othello doesn't end well either.

JULIE
I need a quote from a comedy.

MULIGAN
Nobody quotes the comedies...

JULIE
But you did... "Speak low if you speak love."

MULIGAN
You pretended you didn't know.

JULIE
You've used that quote a few times... I finally remembered it.

MULIGAN
So much for being subtile.

JULIE
Why be subtile?

MULIGAN
Should we be doing this?

JULIE
Shouldn't you be happy?

MULIGAN
Can I be happy?

JULIE
You can.

MULIGAN
I don't know how.

JULIE
Then let me teach you.

MULIGAN
How?

She takes his hands and moves close to him and strokes his hand.
JULIE
With a kiss.

MULIGAN
"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do."

Lights fade to black except for a light on the easel with the quote "If music be the food of love, play on".  Music plays louder.
FIN

*****

Find more short plays at http://www.freedrama.net/short.html

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For permission to use this script, contact doug@freedrama.net (PLEASE include the title of the script in your request).

The play is FREE... if... and only if... your performance of the script is at no cost (i.e. classroom, workshop, audition or competition). When you use a script for free, I do ask a couple small things in return: www.freedrama.net/nocost.html

This script is COPYRIGHTED material. You are NOT allowed to repost the script online for any reason (even educational). You may create a link to the script, but do not republish or redistribute the text of the script in any way.

However, you may record your performance of the script and place the VIDEO online (as long as no text from the script is included). Please be professional and CREDIT the author D. M. Larson and the website Freedrama.net in the description and/or credits.

If you CHARGE admission, the ROYALTY fee is $80 for 1-4 performances. This royalty covers as many Freedrama scripts you wish to use during the same performance. If you are a school, non-profit or performing as a fund raiser, the royalty is only $40 for 1-4 performances.  

The royalty must be paid through PayPal.com using the email doug@freedrama.com or using the link http://www.freedrama.net/pay.html

All ARTWORK from the Freedrama website related to the script (i. e. posters) may be used for free for programs, posters and advertising of the script. Please credit artist Shiela Larson. If you would like art created by Shiela for your program, contact us at doug@freedrama.net
Thank you for selecting my script. HAVE FUN and enjoy the play.

Sincerely,
D. M. Larson







Friday, February 20, 2015

"Love at the International Fusion Cafe" comedy script for four to six actors - PG13 version

I wrote this for my wife for Valentine's day this year.  Some of this has actually happened to us and draws from our real life wacky experiences.

This is the original PG-13 version of the script.  For a PG version, click here: http://freedramaplays.blogspot.com/2015/02/love-at-international-fusion-cafe.html

Waiters can be either gender and even be two actors doing multiple costumes

****

"Love at the International Fusion Cafe"
by D. M. Larson

Mario leads Mel and Nell to a table in the restaurant.

Mario
Welcome to the International Fusion Cafe where we bring a tour of the world to your taste buds. Have you ever dined with us before?

Mel
I have. She hasn't.

Mario
Let me enlighten the seƱorita to our ways.

Nell
This isn't some weird cult you are making me join is it?

Mel
You wanted unique. I am giving you the unique-est.

Mario
This is like a buffet but instead of you getting your foods, we bring the foods to you.

(He gets a plate)

Mario (CONT.)
We will bring some food like so.... I call it "That's a spicy meatball!" And if you like it, we serve it to you.

Nell
Interesting... Lay some meatballs on me Mario.

Mario
You sir?

Mel
Cows and I don't get along. I will pass.

Mario
It may not be cows in the meatball. I'm not sure.

Nell
You don't know? I will pass too. Don't bother sending Luigi with any mushrooms. I hate those too.

(Mario leaves in a huff)

Mel
Weird eh?

(Batman appears)

Nell
No, not at all.

Batman
Would the lady enjoy some fried bat wings?

Nell
Ewwww... No.

Mel
They're chicken wings...

(Batman gives him some)

Mel
At least I think so.

Batman
They taste like chicken.

Nell
Fine. I will nibble on a bat wing or two. I can pretend I am Ozzy Osborne.

Mel
They should call it the Ozzy special.

Nell
I thought you didn't like Ozzy...

Mel
Not really...

Nell
Why won't you give my music a chance?

Mel
Ozzy isn't music. It's noise.

Nell
Hey!

Mel
Just kidding... And besides, aren't you too young to like ozzy?

Nell
I like the classics. The Doors, Pink Floyd.

(Mel rolls his eyes)

Nell
Don't roll your eyes at Pink Floyd. I am trying your bizarre restaurant.

(A mime passes through being pulled on an invisible rope. Nell stands up)

Nell (Cont.)
You better try my music... Or I am leaving.

Mel
Sit down. I will listen to your music. I promise.

(Nell looks very pleased with herself and sits)

Nell
Good.

Mel
Why do you do that?

Nell
What?

Mel
Pretend to throw a fit to get your way. I thought you were serious.

Nell
I was serious.

Mel
Was that really worth making a scene about?

Nell
Maybe. It was fun.

Mel
For you maybe.

Nell
You need to lighten up. That's my mission in life. To lighten your load.

Mel
You do actually.

Nell
Really?

Mel
Yeah.

Nell
Tell me about it.

Mel
Huh?

Nell
Share with me. Open up. Tell me what you like about me.

Mel
Here? Now?

Nell
Now... Or the mime gets it.

(Points an imaginary weapon at mime as he approaches)

Mel
Crossbow! Nice.

(Mime lowers her imaginary weapon and holds out a covered plate)

Nell
French food maybe?

(Mime nods and opens dish. It's empty)

Mel
Oh good. Its their low calorie menu.

(Mime does a silent laugh and gets a real plate)

Nell
French bread?

(Mime nods)

Nell
How clever.

(They both take some. Mel is looking at Nell in a dreamy state)

Nell
Okay, what are you thinking?

(Mel gets embarrassed)

Mel
Oh no, I can't.

Nell
If you want this relationship to work I need some open and honest communication.

Mel
What I was thinking would be a little too open and honest.

Nell
Try me.

Mel
It's embarrassing.

Nell
Tell me now!

(She points her imaginary crossbow at him)

Mel
Well... Umm... Mimes are from France...

Nell
Uh huh.

Mel
And I was thinking you'd look nice in something French.

Nell
This is good... Like what?

Mel
This is really embarrassing.

Nell
Come on... Please.

Mel
You'll think I'm a pervert.

Nell
I know you're a pervert - now tell me!

Mel
I was thinking you'd look good dressed as a French maid.

Nell
What?! Oh my!

Mel
I told you it was bad.

Nell
I'd do it.

Mel
Huh?

Nell
I would dress as a French maid for you.

(Mel gets a little too excited)

Mel
You would! I mean... You would?

Nell
Maybe... If you say something nice to me.

Mel
I think a lot of nice things...

Nell
Then say them to me.

Mel
I get shy.

Nell
I know and that's so cute. Damn you.

Mel
Ok... Something nice. Here goes...

(Clown enters)

Clown
'Ello governor

(Mel jumps)

Mel
Ah! When did you guys get a clown?

Clown
I'm new.

Nell
You're not very... Silly.

Clown
I am one of them sad clowns.

Nell
Sad indeed.

Clown
Quite.

Mel
Why are you British?

Clown
Cause clowns originated in England. The first clown was portrayed by Joseph Grimaldi in the early 1800s...

Nell
You clowns tell the funniest stories.

Mel
You got any good to go with your delightful history lesson?

Clown
Fish and chips.

Nell
Do the British eat anything else?

Clown
Not really ma'am, no.

(Clown leaves)

Nell
A very sad clown indeed... And your not off the hook. Share some feelings.... Now!

Mel
Ok... Uh... Well...

Nell
Oh never mind. Don't hurt yourself.

Mel
I really want to... I really do... You mean a lot to me and I want you to know that. I mean I have never been so happy in my life. You have made everything so much better. I look forward to every day I get to be with you. I want to tell you all that. I just can't seem to do it.

Nell
You just did.

(She sits on his lap and gives him a hug and a kiss)

Mel
I am very happy now too.

Nell
I can tell.

Mel
How embarrassing.

Nell
Is that guy in the kilt serving haggis?

Mel
Haggis! Awesome. The national food of Scotland. You're Scottish aren't you? How come you never wear a kilt?

Nell
You'd like that huh? But that means I would be a guy.

Mel
I wouldn't like that.

Nell
I have always wanted to go to Scotland. Wouldn't that be a great place for out honeymoon?

Mel
What?

Nell
Scotland... Travel... Fun.

Mel
No, the other part.

Nell
What?

Mel
You said our honeymoon.

Nell
I did?

Mel
Yes.

Nell
No, I didn't.

Mel
Little early to be talking about honeymoons... We haven't even discussed weddings yet... Or engagements.

Nell
Can we talk about something else?

Mel
Uh... Ok... I mean... I don't mind talking about it but if you don't want to.

Nell
I don't.

(Silence. Mime comes by with food... He tries to get their attention with invisible flowers but they are quiet and ignore him. He tries harder but Nell takes his invisible flowers he is playing with, wads then in to a ball and throws them. He leaves in frustration)

Nell
I am curious though...

Mel
Yes?

Nell
Would you marry me?

Mel
Are you proposing?

Nell
What? No!

Mel
But you said "would you marry me?"

Nell
Stop putting words in my mouth.

Mel
I wouldn't say no.

Nell
Really?

Mel
Really.

Nell
Oh.

Mel
Yeah.

Nell
Wanna go back to my place?

Mel
Yes.

Nell
Let's go.

(Mime comes up and stops them and holds out an invisible bill. Mel takes out an invisible check book. Writes the check, rips it out and gives invisible check to mime. They wave at him and they leave. He is sad and does a silent fit. Nell returns and shoots him with her invisible cross bow. Mime falls down dead)

Mel
If a tree falls in the Forest and falls on a mime, does anyone care?

Nell
That's deep.

Mel
Quite.

Nell
So would you wear a kilt for me?

Mel
If you dress as a French maid.

(They laugh. Batman goes up to the mime)

Batman
A mime is a terrible thing to waste.

END

****

Find more free short scripts at http://www.freedrama.net/short.html

"Love at the International Fusion Cafe" comedy script for 4 to 6 actors - PG version

I wrote this for my wife for Valentine's day this year.  Some of this has actually happened to us and draws from our real life wacky experiences.

This is an adapted PG version of the script.  For the original PG-13 version, click here: http://freedramaplays.blogspot.com/2015/02/love-at-international-fusion-cafe_20.html

Waiters can be either gender and even be two actors doing multiple costumes.

For permission to use this play contact doug@freedrama.net (please in the title "Love at the International Fusion Cafe" in your request)

****

"Love at the International Fusion Cafe"
by D. M. Larson

Mario leads Mel and Nell to a table in the restaurant.

Mario
Welcome to the International Fusion Cafe where we bring a tour of the world to your taste buds. Have you ever dined with us before?

Mel
I have. She hasn't.

Mario
Let me enlighten the seƱorita to our ways.

Nell
This isn't some weird cult you are making me join is it?

Mel
You wanted unique. I am giving you the unique-est.

Mario
This is like a buffet but instead of you getting your foods, we bring the foods to you.

(He gets a plate)

Mario (Cont.)
We will bring some food like so.... I call it "That's a spicy meatball!" And if you like it, we serve it to you.

Nell
Interesting... Lay some meatballs on me Mario.

Mario
You sir?

Mel
Cows and I don't get along. I will pass.

Mario
It may not be cows in the meatball. I'm not sure.

Nell
You don't know? I will pass too. Don't bother sending Luigi with any mushrooms. I hate those too.

(Mario leaves in a huff)

Mel
Weird eh?

(Batman appears)

Nell
No, not at all.

Batman
Would the lady enjoy some fried bat wings?

Nell
Ewwww... No.

Mel
They're chicken wings...

(Batman gives him some)

Mel
At least I think so.

Batman
They taste like chicken.

Nell
Fine. I will nibble on a bat wing or two. I can pretend I am Ozzy Osborne.

Mel
They should call it the Ozzy special.

Nell
I thought you didn't like Ozzy...

Mel
Not really...

Nell
Why won't you give my music a chance?

Mel
Ozzy isn't music. It's noise.

Nell
Hey!

Mel
Just kidding... And besides, aren't you too young to like ozzy?

Nell
I like the classics. The Doors, Pink Floyd.

(Mel rolls his eyes)

Nell
Don't roll your eyes at Pink Floyd. I am trying your bizarre restaurant.

(A mime passes through being pulled on an invisible rope. Nell stands up)

Nell (Cont.)
You better try my music... Or I am leaving.

Mel
Sit down. I will listen to your music. I promise.

(Nell looks very pleased with herself and sits)

Nell
Good.

Mel
Why do you do that?

Nell
What?

Mel
Pretend to throw a fit to get your way. I thought you were serious.

Nell
I was serious.

Mel
Was that really worth making a scene about?

Nell
Maybe. It was fun.

Mel
For you maybe.

Nell
You need to lighten up. That's my mission in life. To lighten your load.

Mel
You do actually.

Nell
Really?

Mel
Yeah.

Nell
Tell me about it.

Mel
Huh?

Nell
Share with me. Open up. Tell me what you like about me.

Mel
Here? Now?

Nell
Now... Or the mime gets it.

(Points an imaginary weapon at mime as he approaches)

Mel
Crossbow! Nice.

(Mime lowers her imaginary weapon and holds out a covered plate)

Nell
French food maybe?

(Mime nods and opens dish. It's empty)

Mel
Oh good. Its their low calorie menu.

(Mime does a silent laugh and gets a real plate)

Nell
French bread?

(Mime nods)

Nell
How clever.

(They both take some. They eat quietly. Mel looks at her happily)

Nell (Cont.)
You're too quiet. Say something nice to me.

Mel
I think a lot of nice things...

Nell
Then say them to me.

Mel
I get shy.

Nell
I know and that's so cute. Darn you.

Mel
Ok... Something nice. Here goes...

(Clown enters)

Clown
'Ello governor

(Mel jumps)

Mel
Ah! When did you guys get a clown?

Clown
I'm new.

Nell
You're not very... Silly.

Clown
I am one of them sad clowns.

Nell
Sad indeed.

Clown
Quite.

Mel
Why are you British?

Clown
Cause clowns originated in England. The first clown was portrayed by Joseph Grimaldi in the early 1800s...

Nell
You clowns tell the funniest stories.

Mel
You got any good to go with your delightful history lesson?

Clown
Fish and chips.

Nell
Do the British eat anything else?

Clown
Not really ma'am, no.

(Clown leaves)

Nell
A very sad clown indeed... And your not off the hook. Share some feelings.... Now!

Mel
Ok... Uh... Well...

Nell
Oh never mind. Don't hurt yourself.

Mel
I really want to... I really do... You mean a lot to me and I want you to know that. I mean I have never been so happy in my life. You have made everything so much better. I look forward to every day I get to be with you. I want to tell you all that. I just can't seem to do it.

Nell
You just did.

(She sits on his lap and gives him a hug and a kiss)

Mel
I am very happy now too.

Nell
I can tell.

Mel
How embarrassing.

Nell
Is that guy in the kilt serving haggis?

Mel
Haggis! Awesome. The national food of Scotland. You're Scottish aren't you? How come you never wear a kilt?

Nell
You'd like that huh? But that means I would be a guy.

Mel
I wouldn't like that.

Nell
I have always wanted to go to Scotland. Wouldn't that be a great place for out honeymoon?

Mel
What?

Nell
Scotland... Travel... Fun.

Mel
No, the other part.

Nell
What?

Mel
You said our honeymoon.

Nell
I did?

Mel
Yes.

Nell
No, I didn't.

Mel
Little early to be talking about honeymoons... We haven't even discussed weddings yet... Or engagements.

Nell
Can we talk about something else?

Mel
Uh... Ok... I mean... I don't mind talking about it but if you don't want to.

Nell
I don't.

(Silence. Mime comes by with food... He tries to get their attention with invisible flowers but they are quiet and ignore him. He tries harder but Nell takes his invisible flowers he is playing with, wads then in to a ball and throws them. He leaves in frustration)

Nell
I am curious though...

Mel
Yes?

Nell
Would you marry me?

Mel
Are you proposing?

Nell
What? No!

Mel
But you said "would you marry me?"

Nell
Stop putting words in my mouth.

Mel
I wouldn't say no.

Nell
Really?

Mel
Really.

Nell
Oh.

Mel
Yeah.

Nell
Wanna get out of here?

Mel
Yes.

Nell
Let's go.

(Mime comes up and stops them and holds out an invisible bill. Mel takes out an invisible check book. Writes the check, rips it out and gives invisible check to mime. They wave at him and they leave. He is sad and does a silent fit. Nell returns and shoots him with her invisible cross bow. Mime falls down dead)

Mel
If a tree falls in the Forest and falls on a mime, does anyone care?

Nell
That's deep.

Mel
Quite.

(They laugh. Batman goes up to the mime)

Batman
A mime is a terrible thing to waste.



END

****

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